The new CPhO for England David Webb wrote that, during their tenure, Liz Fidler and Ellen Williams – who are APTUK’s outgoing president and vice-president respectively – have “created, led and delivered on many successes for [the] profession and the NHS” in a letter published yesterday (February 10).

Mr Webb is “particularly impressed” by the organisation’s work to include the pharmacy technician role in the additional roles reimbursement scheme and primary care pharmacy education pathway, he added in the letter.

 

Read more: NHSE&I appoints David Webb as the new chief pharmaceutical officer

 

He also highlighted APTUK’s work around “supervision, registration, and initial education and training standards”, the establishment of the pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician role and the publication of the national competency framework for primary care pharmacy technicians.

“It’s also important to highlight your support for excellent patient care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic so far,” Mr Webb added.

 

“We need to work together”

 

Mr Webb said he also recognises that the NHS long-term plan “won’t be achievable without the appropriate clinical deployment of pharmacy technicians”.

He added: “Now, with the help of APTUK, we need to work together to increase recruitment, maximise the clinical contribution of pharmacy technicians in the NHS, increase the numbers of those seeking professional registration and ensure support for APTUK as the professional body.” 

To help on delivering this future agenda, “I’m delighted that [Ms Fiddler] will be joining my team in March as the first senior professional advisor in pharmacy technician practice for NHS England and NHS Improvement”, he said.

 

Read more: NHSE&I appoints first-ever pharmacy technician advisor to CPhO team

 

New APTUK president announced

 

In his letter, Mr Webb also welcomed the appointment of Claire Steele – APTUK's current professional lead for Scotland – as the association’s new president.

In a statement, Ms Steele – who will take up the role on March 1 – wrote that she was “delighted and honoured to be appointed as president” and looked forward to working with members, stakeholders and partners “to continue to strengthen representation of the pharmacy technician profession”.

“As your president, I will drive our strategy over the next five years and advocate for pharmacy technicians to be represented at the highest level,” she added.

“To do this, we need to ensure our association operates efficiently and sustainably. Therefore, the executive committee and I  will seek new sponsorship partners, so that we can invest more into our member services.”

 

Read more: APTUK president and vice president to step down in February

 

Following the announcement, Ms Fidler tweeted her “congratulations and support” to Ms Steele.

“Claire has been an integral executive committee member who will lead APTUK with experience and passion,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Webb also later tweeted to congratulate Ms Steele on her appointment, adding that he was “looking forward to working with” her.